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Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

I caught this in Crusing World Magazine. Mathew Kent, a fearless mariner, is planning to attempt to cross the Atlantic in the worlds smallest sailing craft, breaking the previous record set by the boat "Father's Day" that was 5 foot 4 LOA. The new boat is only three feet six inches LOA!. Square rigged and greater in beam than it is long the diminutive vessel "Undaunted" is made of alluminum. Mr. Kent states that he is not claustrophobic and can sleep just fine in the tiny craft.
Jay

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

One major question in these silly attempts is; assuming that he has a watermaker, where does he store all the food for the trip. I think it took Tinker belle 90 days and that boat was about 13', I think. Lots of rudder shown and I assume it is needed to tell the thing which way to go. If he survives he might make a good cabinet appointment.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

He has a watermaker. He's planning to take 300 pounds of supplies, which includes batteries, food and safety equipment. He's expecting it to take three and a half to four months. He's budgeting 1,300 to 1,500 calories a day and expects to lose 20-25 lbs during the voyage. That may be a feat of human endurance of a sort but it is not a feat of seamanship. There is no amount of that which could make this a viable journey. He will succeed or fail based entirely on luck and his ability to continue functioning while he starves himself. And frankly I don't see how anyone can function at the level needed to sail this boat for that long on 1,500 calories a day.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

He has a watermaker. He's planning to take 300 pounds of supplies, which includes batteries, food and safety equipment. He's expecting it to take three and a half to four months. He's budgeting 1,300 to 1,500 calories a day and expects to lose 20-25 lbs during the voyage. That may be a feat of human endurance of a sort but it is not a feat of seamanship. There is no amount of that which could make this a viable journey. He will succeed or fail based entirely on luck and his ability to continue functioning while he starves himself. And frankly I don't see how anyone can function at the level needed to sail this boat for that long on 1,500 calories a day.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

do ya think that big snorkle sticking up the top is gonna be long enough? :-)

TZ"One can say with certainty that he is not with us at present. It is worth adding, however, that he himself did not always understand what time ought to be considered the present." - Laurus, Eugene Vodolazkin.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

Sailing the thing sideways does not make her short.

At some point the record keepers will figure out that displacement is the true measure of small. Then the record book hounds will be looking at how to reduce the weight of support - food and water, like by more living off the ocean - and how to make the vessel herself lighter.

For example, at almost no cost to displacement one could build into the hull hydroponics and live on spirulina. . .

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

Yes, this is an incredibly silly (as well as dangerous) endeavor.

Let's now do a re-frame, and consider that what Matthew Kent is doing, is addressing a self-designed challenge to himself. He may be very happy if he succeeds,
even if no one else thinks he done anything noteworthy or useful to others.

How do we compare this feat to that of Robert Knox-Johnston, whose Suhiali boat was not particularly well prepared for a single-handed non stop circumnavigation? It is not necessary or even smart to go around the world non stop. Joshua Slocum had already demonstrated that one highly experienced mariner could circumnavigate in a substantial boat. But a non stop trip hadn't been done before, it wasn't silly, and Robin wanted the challenge. Robin did it, and we consider his voyage noteworthy. He got knighted for it. We love Sir Robin for good reason, and like him too.

I celebrate all those who love boats and love challenges. At the same time, I hope that we can help everyone be sensible and not take unnecessary risks. If Kent fails, which seems likely, is it useful to say "I told you so?" If he succeeds, what should we say to others about the trip? "This was stupid. Don't try it?" How about: here are good articles about seaworthy boats and skippers.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

All reasonable enough but its still not a boat, it is a technical exercise. One could construct a boat out of a section of waterpipe barely big enough to fit into and drift it vertically across the ocean, but is it a boat?

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

Actually, the vertical boat might be the next thing. Some sort of sail and rudder to keep it pointed in the right direction and then out each side self-setting blades so that as the thing bobs up and down the blades direct it forward. This could get the "length" down under two feet.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

Here is some info on men who chose to cross the Atlantic single handed in small craft in the past. One person, Dr. Lindemann, was the inventor of the folding Klepper Kayak. He experimented with drinking seawater in small amounts as well as eating and drinking the juices of raw fish he caught. All of the voyagers speak of incredible hardship. Most all suffured from salt water sores which were very painful to live with. I have a friend who owns a Klepper Kayak who has gone on week-end cruises in his boat. I have sailed and paddled it as well but, I sure as hell would not wish to choose to cross the Atlantic in it!
Jayhttps://apaddleinmypack.wordpress.co...n-and-bombard/

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

This chap who pulled into Antigua yesterday on a $120,000 "SUP" is going to carry on to Florida.
I still think it is less wacky than the Scamp trip through Tiera del Fuego.

An SUP that aint, but I guess he gets his name in the books for doing the first "stand up" crossing.
Looks like it is derived from one of those trans Atlantic rowing race boats, which I guess would be a sound starting point for that sort of venture. Now, if I eat lots of beans, and rig up a small gas engine........

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

From the article:
"The front of the craft has a cabin, in which Bertish sat upright, and within a small sleeping space he kept his satellite weather forecasting equipment, GPS systems, VHF radios, an autopilot system, satellite phone, solar panels and water stores."

Can he really say he crossed the ocean on a paddle board? Does a paddle board have "a cabin?" "Autopilot?"

He might be able to say he paddled across the ocean, but on a paddle board? I think not.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

Originally Posted by Jay Greer

Here is some info on men who chose to cross the Atlantic single handed in small craft in the past. One person, Dr. Lindemann, was the inventor of the folding Klepper Kayak. He experimented with drinking seawater in small amounts as well as eating and drinking the juices of raw fish he caught. All of the voyagers speak of incredible hardship. Most all suffured from salt water sores which were very painful to live with. I have a friend who owns a Klepper Kayak who has gone on week-end cruises in his boat. I have sailed and paddled it as well but, I sure as hell would not wish to choose to cross the Atlantic in it!
Jayhttps://apaddleinmypack.wordpress.co...n-and-bombard/

Hans Lindemann was not the inventor of the Klepper kayak, he did use one for his crossing though. Howard Rice also used one to round Cape Horn in 1982, they're very capable boats.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

James Wharram writes about Lindeman in his book Two Girls Two Catamarans, Wharram and co met him in the Canaries before he set off on his Atlantic crossing. Set him up with the outrigger on his Kayak. All before sat phones/ GPS etc.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

And properly measured by displacement, I"ll bet Lindemann's crossing is still the smallest boat to make it. His account of the voyage is a great read -- in large part it was conceived as a test of human endurance, using himself as the test subject. It turns out that, among other things, sitting on a wet seat for a few weeks is not good for the skin.

Re: Another smallest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean attempt.

I would certainly prefer to do it Wharram style, with a choice of bed etc.

Originally Posted by Woxbox

And properly measured by displacement, I"ll bet Lindemann's crossing is still the smallest boat to make it. His account of the voyage is a great read -- in large part it was conceived as a test of human endurance, using himself as the test subject. It turns out that, among other things, sitting on a wet seat for a few weeks is not good for the skin.